Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Double Entendre Martini

Ever since reading Neil Gaiman's, "Anansi Boys", I've had the idea of a cocktail based on the drink in the primary character's dream. Especially after Molly suggested I should name one of my martinis after it. If you haven't read the book, here's the relevant excerpt:

"...He instructed the barman in the preparation of a cocktail he called the "Double Entendre" which, while it seemed to begin with a base of champagne, he explained was actually scientifically nonalcoholic. It contained a splash of this and a splash of that until it went a vivid purple color..."

Alongside this, I've also discovered the beauty of the Aviation cocktail. Basically it's a gin martini flavored lightly with violet and maraschino. So, let's combine the two and re-imagine the Aviation — keeping the base flavors, but making it unique. Now the purple drink has the same base flavors, but carries other tastes along with it, as well as having a "splash of this and a splash of that." ;) Screw the nonalcoholic part, after all this is a martini. We need a unique and delicious purple cocktail that implies more than it's parts.

So, the following is my interpretation...

3 oz Square One Botanical Vodka

1 oz Creme De Cassis

1 oz Creme Yvette

1/2 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

Maraschino Cherry

Chill an up glass with crushed ice and water. Shake the liquid ingredients with
ice in a shaker until it sweats. Strain into the glass and garnish by dropping a maraschino cherry into the bottom.